Quick charity verification for Elm City College Preparatory Inc (EIN: 205196171)
Verdict: Elm City College Preparatory Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$13.8MRevenue
$27.4MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency regarding executive pay.
Significant decline in total assets from $46.8 million in 2015 to $28.1 million in 2023, indicating a substantial draw-down or revaluation.
Expenses frequently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $14.5M expenses vs. $13.2M revenue in 2023), which, if sustained, could impact long-term financial health.
Strengths
Stable and manageable liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial control over debt.
Consistent operational activity and revenue generation over the past decade, demonstrating a stable funding base.
Focus on educational services (NTEE B29) aligns with a clear programmatic mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Elm City College Preparatory Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elm City College Preparatory Inc
Is Elm City College Preparatory Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elm City College Preparatory Inc (EIN: 205196171) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Elm City College Preparatory Inc a good charity to donate to?
Elm City College Preparatory Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $13.8M. Assets: $27.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Elm City College Preparatory Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elm City College Preparatory Inc is 205196171. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Elm City College Preparatory Inc spend its money?
Elm City College Preparatory Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Elm City College Preparatory Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Elm City College Preparatory Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205196171 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Elm City College Preparatory Inc. demonstrates consistent operational activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the $10-15 million range over the past several years. The organization has experienced a notable decline in assets, from a high of $46.8 million in 2015 to $28.1 million in 2023, indicating a significant draw-down or revaluation of its asset base. Despite this, liabilities have remained relatively stable and manageable, suggesting no immediate solvency concerns. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant positive for transparency and suggests that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through a related entity, which would warrant further investigation for a complete picture of financial health.